Julia Louis-Dreyfus (L) reacts as she arrives during the show for the 21st Annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on Sun., Oct. 21, 2018.

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Comedian and director Kumail Nanjiani grew up in Pakistan and never saw an episode of TV’s “Seinfeld” until he immigrated to the U.S as an adult.

“But I became a huge fan as soon as I moved here,” he said.

The co-writer of the movie “The Big Sick” particularly recalls her iconic, slightly convulsive “Elaine Benes dance” on the show, which he credits to Louis-Dreyfus’ gift for physical comedy.

“There are some comedians who think physical comedy is beneath them,” he said. “But she was just fearless and ego-less.”

Deborah F. Rutter, the president of the Kennedy Center, said in a statement, “Like Mark Twain, Julia has enriched American culture with her iconic, unforgettable, and outright hilarious brand of humor. Over four decades, her wildly original characters and her gift for physical comedy have left us in stitches.”

The 57-year-old Louis-Dreyfus emerged from Chicago’s famed Second City comedy troupe before joining the cast of “Saturday Night Live.” Her best-known role is her nine-year run as Elaine Benes on “Seinfeld.” More recently, her work as Vice President Selina Meyer on “Veep” earned her six consecutive Emmy Awards.